Did economic concerns keep you at home this summer? No problem. Augusta offers all of the excitement of a full-scale vacation for less than the price of one night's lodging.
You just have to know where to look.
The Augusta Chronicle put together a sample itinerary of things to do in Augusta that will cost you less than $50 for one person for five days.
MONDAY (SPORTS DAY)
Disc Golf
Where: Lake Olmstead, Pendleton King Park
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Contact: Augusta Disc Golf Association, (706) 736-8537
Cost: $2.99 for a disc, free to play
Swimming
Where: Aquatics Center, 3157 Damascus Road
When: Recreational swim 12-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 12-7 p.m. Friday, 12-3 p.m. Saturday
Telephone: (706) 261-0424
Web site: www.augustaga.gov
Cost: $4
TUESDAY (HISTORY)
The Augusta Museum of History
August exhibits include The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown; From Ty to Cal, A Century of Baseball in Augusta; and Augusta Remembers, a documentary film about Augusta's history from 1900 to World War II.
Address: 560 Reynolds St.
Telephone: (706) 722-8454
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday
Web site: www.augustamuseum.org
Cost: $1 (through August, $4 regularly)
Ezekiel Harris House
Built in 1797, the Ezekiel Harris house offers an example of a merchant's home in Augusta during the Federalist period. Ezekiel Harris was a tobacco merchant who owned a warehouse on the Savannah River. His former home on Broad Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Address: 1822 Broad St.
Telephone: (706) 722-8454
Hours: By appointment Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Web site: www.augustamuseum.org/harris
Cost: $1 (Through August)
Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History
Self-taught artist John Daso's work is on display in the museum through Aug. 31
Address: 1116 Phillips St.
Telephone: (706) 724-3576
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Web site: LucyCraftLaneyMuseum.com
Cost: $5
U.S. Army Signal Corps Museum
Exhibits include a Medal of Honor, an 1870 meteorological office in Augusta, equipment from the Spanish-American War, an exhibit about a signal office during World War I, and a Vietnam War prisoner exhibit.
Address: Building 29807 (Conrad Hall), Chamberlain Avenue, Fort Gordon
Telephone: (706) 791-2818
Web site: www.gordon.army.mil/ocos/museum
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free
WEDNESDAY (MISCELLANEOUS)
Augusta GreenJackets
The Augusta GreenJackets hold a variety of promotions and events to entertain fans between innings. Check www.greenjacketsbaseball.com for game days. Game times are 7:05 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Where: 78 Milledge Road
Telephone: (706) 736-7889
Web site: greenjacketsbaseball.com
Cost: $7 for one adult general admission ticket
Radio-Controlled Racing
Rediscover your inner child, grab a few friends and some radio-controlled cars and run them at the remote-control racetrack.
Address: 3470 Millegeville Road
Telephone: (706) 796-5025
Web site: www.augusta.rc.freehomepage.com
Cost: Free
Fort Discovery
Children and adults alike can discover science principles in action by exploring Fort Discovery. Galleries include robotics, Martian Towers play area, electricity and everyday technologies.
Address: 1 Seventh St.
Telephone: (706) 821-0200
Web site: NationalScienceCenter.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Cost: $8
THURSDAY (NATURE)
Canal Boat Tour
Guides on these one-hour tours point out historic places, plants and animals, and other points of interest along half the length of the Augusta Canal.
Where: 1450 Greene St.
Telephone: (706) 823-0440
Web site: www.AugustaCanal.com
Times; 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Cost: $12
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
Guided hikes are offered at 9:30 a.m. the first Saturday of each month. The park features trails, boardwalks, bike trails, observation decks for viewing wildlife, and a pioneer-era cemetery.
Where: Lock and Dam Road, off of Doug Barnard Parkway
Telephone: (706) 828-2109
Web site: www.naturalsciencesacademy.org
Hours: Noon to dusk, Monday through Friday; dawn to dusk, Saturday and Sunday
Cost: Free
FRIDAY (ARTS)
Morris Museum of Art
August exhibits are Southern Eccentric: Paintings by Larry Connetser and Stories to Tell: Folk Art in the South. These exhibits will run through Aug. 30.
Address: 1 10th St.
Telephone: (706) 724-7501
Web site: www.themorris.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Cost: $5
First Friday
Live performances will entertain visitors as they shop artisans and craftsmen at First Friday in downtown Augusta.
Where: Augusta Common and galleries and stores along Broad Street
Telephone: (706) 826-4702
Web site: www.augustaarts.com
Cost: Free
Reach Lisa Kaylor at (706) 828-3904 or lisa.kaylor@northaugustatoday.com.